How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome as a Multipotentialite
- Mindset and Habits, Overcoming Fears
- September 23, 2024
Do you sometimes feel like you’re constantly falling short, no matter how much you achieve? In today’s world, where social media constantly showcases polished lives and picture-perfect achievements, it’s easy to feel like everyone else has it all figured out, leaving you behind. Many of us struggle with self-confidence, particularly when imposter syndrome sets in. I have dealt with this pervasive feeling first-hand; it can make even the most accomplished individuals feel inadequate and undeserving of their success.
Understanding Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is not just a momentary feeling of doubt or a bad day. It’s a persistent, internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud.” We are terrified that one day, everyone will wake up and realize “the truth”. Despite clear accomplishments, those suffering from imposter syndrome believe they don’t deserve their achievements and attribute any success to luck or external factors, rather than their own hard work and talent. This mindset can have a detrimental impact on self-esteem, mental health, and career growth.
Interestingly, imposter syndrome tends to be more prevalent among high achievers and those who have excelled in multiple areas. Emilie Wapnick dives into how multipotentialites may be more likely to experience impostor syndrome in this article. Instead of feeling proud of their broad range of talents, they question whether they truly belong. When you feel like an impostor, you constantly hear that voice whispering in your head, “You’re not good enough. Sooner or later, everyone will figure it out.” And this isn’t just limited to one area of life—it can sneak into our professional lives, personal relationships, and creative pursuits.
Societal Pressures and Personal Fears
Several societal pressures and personal fears contribute to our feelings of inadequacy. We often feel pressured to specialize or conform to societal norms. Society frequently encourages us to “pick a lane” and stay in it, pushing the narrative that being a jack-of-all-trades makes us somehow less accomplished than those who focus deeply on one area.
How many times have I told myself that not being an expert in any particular field meant I was good for nothing? I feel this especially strongly at social gatherings, where conversations inevitably shift toward work or passions, and I hear people proudly sharing how knowledgeable they are in their specialized area. Don’t get me wrong—I think it’s awesome when people are so passionate about something and become experts in their field. I always take these moments as opportunities to learn new things and lean into their passion.
But that nagging sense of inadequacy often creeps in, making me feel like I don’t belong because I don’t have a deep well of expertise to draw from in one specific area. This is when imposter syndrome tends to kick in, fueled by personal fears and insecurities that I’ll be judged for being “less than” or for spreading myself too thin.
The truth, however, is that society needs both specialists and generalists. Specialists bring focused expertise to the table, while generalists offer adaptability, creativity, and a broader perspective. In fact, multipotentialites do not need to specialize. Together, these different strengths make for better teams, more innovative solutions, and ultimately, a more well-rounded society. So why do we downplay the value of being a multipotentialite?
Ways To Overcome Imposter Syndrome
Reframing Negative Thoughts
One powerful way to combat imposter syndrome is to reframe the negative thoughts that feed it. Acknowledge your accomplishments, and remind yourself of your capabilities. Instead of allowing self-doubt to run the show, practice self-kindness and self-compassion. This shift in mindset has transformed my internal narrative from “I’m not good enough” to “I’m learning, growing, and improving every day.”
It is an ongoing practice. To this day, I have to actively remind myself that being a multipotentialite is a gift. My curiosity, adaptability, and eagerness to learn new things across so many areas are strengths that many people wish they had. Let me clarify. I don’t ever want to fall into the trap of thinking I’m better than others simply because I’m a generalist. The point is not to say that being a multipotentialite is superior to being a specialist—it’s just different.
Here’s what I remind myself:
- I am enough. I don’t need to match anyone else’s level of expertise to belong. We can be complementary. Experts can teach me about their specialized knowledge, and in return, I can help broaden their horizons.
- The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Chances are, someone else is looking at my experiences and thinking my side of the fence is greener too.
Embracing Your Unique Journey
It’s vital to recognize and celebrate your own unique strengths and talents. Instead of obsessing over what you lack, focus on the breadth of skills and experiences you do have, and the highlight and richness of your own journey. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, but once you realize comparison is the thief of joy, you can open your eyes to the extraordinary path you’ve carved out for yourself.
Now in my early 30s, I feel like I’ve lived many different lives. How many people can say they’ve been both a freelance strategy consultant and a farmer, a startup founder and a flight attendant, a sales manager, and a fruit deliverer? I’ve lived in major cities and remote rural areas across Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Europe. I’ve found love and built friendships with people from entirely different backgrounds than mine, defying the idea that soulmates or close friends must come from the same culture or social circle.
Creating an extraordinary life has always been my goal—not necessarily in wealth or fame, but in terms of variety and richness of experience. To me, that’s where the true magic of being a multipotentialite and a lifelong learner lies. Rather than focusing on what I may lack, I choose to celebrate the diversity of experiences and skills I’ve gained.
Building Resilience
Resilience is often seen as the ability to “bounce back” from challenges, but it’s more than just recovering— when you truly build resilience you start thriving in the face of setbacks, and make them your allies. For anyone struggling with imposter syndrome, building resilience is key.
Resilience doesn’t mean ignoring self-doubt—it means moving forward despite it. It helps you recognize the tough moments as part of the process, not a reflection of your worth. Each stumble is an opportunity to grow stronger, more adaptable, and more confident.
For me, resilience has been a lesson learned through constant reinvention. Every time I’ve started something new, I felt the weight of imposter syndrome bearing down. But over time, I realized that the moments when I felt most uncomfortable were often the ones that led to the biggest growth. I’ve learned to welcome those feelings, knowing they signal that I’m pushing my limits and expanding what I thought was possible for myself.
How Do I Implement It in Real Life?
Let’s break down how to build resilience when Imposter Syndrome strikes:
Accept Failure as a Learning Tool: Understand that failure and mistakes aren’t the opposite of success—they’re part of the journey towards it. Each misstep provides valuable insights and makes you better equipped to handle future challenges. Failure is nothing more than a stepping stone.
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Imposter syndrome often thrives when we aim for perfection. Instead, shift your focus to incremental progress. Celebrate small wins, and understand that growth comes from taking one step at a time, not from achieving flawless results. “Baby Steps” is my moto in life. This mindset makes the journey less daunting and keeps you moving forward.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Don’t forget that our brain is nothing more than a muscle that needs as much training as our other muscles. People with a growth mindset see abilities and intelligence as something that can be developed through dedication and effort. This is the essence of resilience: recognizing that your potential is not fixed and that every challenge is an opportunity to expand it.
Reframe Setbacks as Temporary: When setbacks happen, it’s easy to think they define you. But resilient people see setbacks as temporary bumps, not permanent blocks. Keep reminding yourself that difficult phases are just that—phases, and they will pass. Each challenge you overcome adds another layer of resilience, making you better equipped for the next one.
Finding Supportive Communities
Facing the challenges of imposter syndrome is much easier when you have a supportive community around you. Surrounding yourself with people who validate your experiences and encourage open discussions about self-doubt is incredibly powerful. It can remind you that you’re not alone in your struggles, and there’s immense value in shared vulnerability.
I’ve found that seeking out mentors and communities has been one of the most uplifting ways to push through my own doubts. Finding mentors, in particular, has helped me gain perspective. By leaning on their guidance and wisdom, I’ve been able to carve out paths I might never have considered. In fact, I’ve shared some of my favorite mentorship platforms in a previous blog, which can be great starting points if you’re looking for guidance too.
You can also Sign Up for The Bold Beginner to make sure you join a community of supportive and kind-minded women as we keep growing!
Practical Tips for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
And if you are still wondering how to put all of the above into practice, here are a few practical strategies to help you start reclaiming your confidence:
- Maintain a Success Log: Keep track of your achievements, big or small. This can serve as a tangible reminder of your abilities when self-doubt creeps in.
- Practice Self-Kindness: Be kind to yourself. Offer yourself the same compassion you’d give a friend who’s feeling insecure.
- Set Realistic Goals: Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and celebrate each milestone you reach.
- Seek Constructive Feedback: Getting feedback from others can provide a balanced perspective on your strengths and areas for improvement.
- Practice Mindfulness: Stay present. Engage in mindfulness exercises like meditation or breathing exercises to help reduce anxiety and remain grounded.
If you’d like to read more about it, I dive deeper into those practical tips with 7 strategies to overcome the fear of judgment, which often goes hand in hand with imposter syndrome.
Remember, overcoming imposter syndrome isn’t an overnight process. With time, patience, and a lot of self-compassion, you can learn to see your worth more clearly. Every small step forward is a victory worth celebrating, and the more you acknowledge your unique qualities, the more you’ll begin to believe in yourself.
So, do not give imposter syndrome the power to dim your light. You have something valuable to offer, and the world is better off because you’re in it.
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